Lady Rubina - A Pirates Of The Caribbean Love Story

Chapter Five

I woke up early the next day. From the porthole, I could see the sun shining, turning the water golden. I had never in my life felt so free, and I didn’t want to waste a minute of the day. I threw some clothes on (more piratey clothes than my dress! I borrowed some from Madeleine, hoping fervently that she didn’t find out.) There were no mirrors in my cabin, so I surveyed my reflection in a pool of water on deck.

I looked better, with a white shirt under a leather waistcoat. Leather trousers, pirate boots and a magnificent pirate hat that I had found lying around. I felt like a pirate.

“Does Hector know you’ve stolen his hat, love?” enquired a voice that could only be Jack’s. He was standing, one hand against the helm.

“Is this his?” I glanced up at it. “I found it lying around.”

Jack smiled. “I daresay he won’t mind…”

“So, Jack. You and Hector don’t seem to get on.”

Jack shrugged. “We don’t, especially.”

“So, why did he go to so much trouble to rescue you from Port Royal?”

Slowly, Jack’s face creased into a grin. “Brains and beauty combined.”

“Don’t avoid the question!” I couldn’t help smiling at him.

“Fact is, love, we’re going to Tortuga to pick up my crew. And then we’re heading off to…”

“To what?”

Jack hesitated. “Nothing.”

“I can’t sword fight,” I said, bringing out my pistol. “But I can shoot… Now, are you going to tell me or not?”

Jack grinned again. “Pirate.”

I waited, aiming the pistol at him. I wouldn’t really shoot him, and he probably knew that, but I was hoping the pistol might make him talk.

“Alright, then. We’re going after the Diamond of the Lost City.”

“The what?”

Jack grinned and draped an arm round my shoulders. “You see, love, once there was a city on the coast of Spain. We don’t even know it’s name now, but, once, it was beautiful and rich. They say there were entire rooms made up of gold. Gold bricks, gold mortar, gold roof, gold everywhere. But the ocean levels started rising and the city was swallowed up by the sea. All the gold was lost, because it was too heavy for them to save in time. But before the city was drowned, the king evacuated all the residents. And he brought with him a diamond. Nowadays, we know it as The Diamond of the Lost City.”

I listened breathlessly. It sounded like a beautiful fairytale, tragic and poignant in all the right places. “And we’re going to find the Diamond?” I whispered.

“We’re going to try.” He winked at me. “What say you, love? Are you in?”

“Absolutely!”

“Is that wise, Jack?” A voice cut through our conversation and a woman sauntered up to us. “The more people involved, the smaller our shares will be.”

“Madeleine, I have no desire for any ‘share’ of the diamond,” I said, glaring at her. “I simply like the idea of a treasure hunt.”

“You speak as if it is all a game,” Madeleine said, her hand resting on her sword. “This is more than a game for a pretty rich girl. It’s our livelihood. And when you get tired of playing, you can go home to your castle. Some of us don’t have homes any more.” She glared at me, as if it was my fault, and walked away.

I looked down at the floor. I had hoped Madeleine and I could be friends, since we were the only girls on board. It didn’t look like that would ever happen.

“Should I go after her and apologise?” I asked Jack, in a small voice.

“Apologise for what? You didn’t do anything, love. It’s just Maddy has some… problems.”

“You’re telling me.”

“Anyway, aren’t you meant to be learning how to sword fight?”

I looked away to the horizon. “I don’t really…”

“Giving up because it’s too difficult?” Jack looked pityingly at me.

“No!”

“Yes, you are. Don’t lie to a liar, love.”

“It’s not true! And to prove it, I’ll go and practice right now!” I marched off, glancing behind me in time to see Jack smile knowingly. I rolled my eyes and went back to the room where Hector had taught me. I picked up the sword and started slashing at the air, blocking imaginary attacks.

“More control,” boomed a voice.

I dropped the sword and whipped round. Hector was standing there. I sighed with relief. “You scared me!”

“Try again,” he said, handing me my sword. “This time, keep full control of the blade.”

We fought all day, forsaking our meals. I was so absorbed. I wanted to get this right. I wanted to prove to Jack and Madeleine I wasn’t just a lady. I was a pirate too.

And, by the end of the day, I had finally learned to block all Hector’s attacks!

I was so excited, I jumped up and down and hugged him. He seemed surprised, pulling away slightly, but then he got quite into it and I thought he was never going to let me go. I wouldn’t actually have minded if he didn’t let go, and that was what scared me.

Surely I couldn’t be falling in love with a pirate? It was wrong, on so many levels. For a start, he probably wouldn’t want to be with a lady. For another thing, my father would kill me. Literally.

But I put that out of my mind, focusing on my victories.